Photographs: Umar Ganie Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
Kashmir valley continued to remain cut-off from rest of the country for the second consequetive day, running in view of the incessant snowfall that has frozen normal life across the valley. Mukhtar Ahmad reports.
Apart from the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road link connecting the landlocked valley to the country continued to remain blocked in view of the heavy snowfall and landslides, no flight could operate on Monday.
IN PICS: Kashmir comes to a STANDSTILL
Photographs: Umar Ganie
The valley is facing acute shortage of cooking gas and essential commodities. The State government has now ordered rationing of the cooking gas.
The State government is likely to request the Air Force for airlifting of stranded people and gas cylinders.
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IN PICS: Kashmir comes to a STANDSTILL
Photographs: Umar Ganie
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took a high-level meeting in winter capital Jammu to review the situation arising out of the snowfall in the valley with particular focus on clearance of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, stranded passengers in Jammu and the stock position.
Omar asked the Border Roads OPrganisation to redouble their efforts in restoring Jammu-Srinagar highway for traffic to help pushing essential commodities and LPG to the valley from Jammu on priority.
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IN PICS: Kashmir comes to a STANDSTILL
Photographs: Umar Ganie
The chief minister directed the administration to put men and machinery at high alert to tackle weather vagaries and eventualities in a befitting manner.
He emphasised the need for snow clearance on roads and distribution of essentials to the people smoothly.
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IN PICS: Kashmir comes to a STANDSTILL
Photographs: Umar Ganie
Omar said that priority should be given to the transportation of LPG and essential commodities to move from Jammu to Srinagar as soon as the traffic is restored.
The state director general of police has alerted the police rank and file to extend help to the needy.
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IN PICS: Kashmir comes to a STANDSTILL
Photographs: Umar Ganie
Meanwhile, one police commando died on the spot while 39 trainees were wounded when a police barrack collapsed at Lethpora in south Kashmir under the weight of the accumulated snow.
The injured were evacuated to hospital.
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